Efforts to return British tourists from Sharm el-Sheikh descend into chaos as UK Government rebukes airlines

Airlines and passengers were given mixed messages as British and Egyptian authorities appeared to send out conflicting instructions

British holidaymakers stranded at Sharm el-Sheikh airport receive conflicting information (EPA)

The effort to fly thousands of British holidaymakers home from Sharm el-Sheikh airport has descended into chaos as the UK Government rebuked airlines for sending out inaccurate information.

Ministers had said this morning that the “vast majority” of the estimated 20,000 British tourists in the Red Sea resort would return by the end of the day but Downing Street revealed later that the first flight only left at around 11am UK time.

The Prime Minister’s spokesman said reports of earlier departures were inaccurate and urged airlines to “work closely with us”.

Airlines and passengers were given mixed messages as British and Egyptian authorities appeared to send out conflicting instructions.

EasyJet said earlier this morning that Egyptian authorities had told them to cancel its emergency flights and holidaymakers stranded at Sharm el-Sheikh airport were seen confronting the UK ambassador at the airport.

The Prime Minister’s spokesman said the situation in Sharm airport is “fluid and complex,” insisting the Government was “working closely with the authorities on the ground”.

In a rebuke to airlines, the spokesman added: "It's important all the airline companies work closely with us to ensure what they're telling passengers is accurate and they're giving them the best possible information."

Asked whether EasyJet had published wrong information about the latest situation, the spokesman said: “I will allow you to go back and look at what various people have put out on the situation.”

The situation on the ground at Sharm el-Sheikh airport is chaotic, with stranded tourists confronting the UK ambassador John Casson when he arrived this morning.

One passenger asked Mr Casson: “We’ve been told the Egyptian government are arguing with David Cameron and he’s not letting any planes land. We want to go home.”

Mr Casson was seen struggling to explain why flights were so delayed and could only say the "aim is to get as many people home as soon as possible".

He later told the BBC that cooperation between the UK and Egyptian authorities was “very good”.

As of 1pm UK time, just two flights had left Sharm el-Sheikh for the UK, suggesting airlines would struggle to reach the 20 flights that the UK Government said would fly out of Sharm el-Sheikh today.

Egyptian authorities have said only eight flights would leave the airport for the UK over the course of Friday